Knitting machine



Oct. 5, 1937. v. LOMBARDI KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 195's 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR,

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 5, 1937. v. LQMBARDI 2,094,660

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 5, 1937. v. LOMBARDI 2,094,660

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1935 10 SheetsSheet 3 I 106 INVENTOR,

WZMMJIZ,

BY //w ATTORNEY.

Oct. 5, 1937. v. LOMBARDI 2,094,660

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR,

Elm Lombardi,

BY flay/A5,; 44%.

ATTORNEY.

V. LOMBARDI KNITTING MACHINE Oct. 5, 1937.

Filed Feb. 6, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 M W N a V I w INVENTOR,

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 5, 1937 v. LOMBARDI 2,094,560

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1955 10 Sheefs-Sheet e 1N VENTOR,

[4311M .lmnfia/rdi,

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 5, 1937. v. LOMBARDI KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY.

" INVENTOR,

Wtfia BY WW A7 Ma AAAAAAAA Oct. 5, 1937. v. LOMBARDI KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR,

aa'di,

ATTORNEY.

Filed Feb. 6, 1935 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1955 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 E 217 ask 5 w s 22;?

N INVENTOR, 2314 S BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Get. 5, 1937 PATENT OFFICE KNITTING:v MACHINE Vincent Lombardi, Garden City, N. Y.,

to Lombardi Knitting Machine Co. Inc.,

assignor New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 6, 1935, Serial No. 5,216

29 Claims.

This invention relates to knitting machines and. to correlated inventions and discoveries appertaining thereto. v

An object of the invention is the provision of improved means of a relatively simple character whereby a wide variety of designs may be embodied in a knitted fabric.

Another object is the provision of especially precise operating means whereby rockers and like selective elements may be actuated with a maximum of accuracy and certainty.

Another object is the provision .of means to render a set series of actuating elements inoperative at desired periods inthe operation of the machine without disturbing the setting of the actuating elements.

A further object is the provision of simple and highly selective selecting means which is especially adapted for use in fine gage machines.

Still another object is the provision of simple means whereby the selective setting of actuating elements is facilitated.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part'appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and I objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a planview of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 isan enlarged vertical section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a. is a fragmentary side view of a rocker engaged by an advancing cam;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 5-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4; 9

Figs. 6 and 'I are fragmentary views similar to a portion of Fig. 2 and illustrating a modification;

Fig. 8 is a section onthe line 9-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts in another position;

Fig. 11 is an expanded, somewhat diagrammatic view of a side portion of the machine;

the line of Fig. 12 is an enlarged section of the portion of the pattern wheel along the line I2-I2 of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 13 is a similar view showing a diiferent arrangement of actuator {elements on the pattern wheel; 5

Fig. 14 is an expanded vertical section of a pattern wheel along the line M-l4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is a section on the line 15-45 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Figs. 12 and 13 show-.- ing a modification;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing another modification;

Fig. 18 is a similar view showing a variation;

Fig. 19 shows one form of operation of the constructions shown in Figs. 17 and 18;

Fig. 20 shows another form of operation;

Fig. 21 is a detail section along the line 2l-2l of Fi 9;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view along the line 22--22 of Fig. 1; t

Fig. 23 is a sectional view along the line 23-23 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 24 is a view taken on Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is aview Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the mechanism for adjusting the angularity of the pattern wheel as shown in the lower right hand corner of Fig. 1;

Fig. 27 is a horizontal section showing a modified form of pattern wheel; I

Fig. 28 is a top view thereof;

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified form of pattern wheel;

Fig. 30 is a section on the line 30--3ll of Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 shows a segment of the cover plate of Fig. 29 removed;

Fig. 32 is a side view of this segment;

Fig. 33 is a horizontal sectionshowing a modification;

Fig. 34 is a view other modification;

Fig. 35 is a vertical section showing still another modification;

Fig. 36 is a fragmentary top view of the pattern wheel of Fig. 35; and v Fig. 37 is a vertical section showing another modification.

In my co-pending application, 'Serial No. 720,921, now Patent No. 2,025,463 I have disclosed mechanism for operating knitting elements which comprises .swingable selective element portions individual to the knitting elements and each formed with means at one side of its axis of swinging movement whereby a cam may 55 the line 24-24 of taken on the line 25 -25 of 25 similar to Fig. 3 showing anengage it to move it varying distances depending upon the position to which it is swung, and which comprises also a rotatable pattern member arranged to act selectively on said portions to variously position them. Mechanism of this character is highly advantageous for the actuation of a variety of types of knitting elements, including latch needles, beard needles, jacks, sinkers, yarn controllers, setting elements, etc. It has been found, however, that unless the mechanism is constructed with particular care, difficulties sometimes arise due to improper alignment of the parts at the time the cam operates, with resultant improper positioning of the knitting elements or breakage of parts. It has also been found that design formation can be facilitated by rendering the rotary pattern member inoperative at certain periods of its operation, and also by shifting the periphery of the pattern wheel so that different portions will contact particular elements at particular times. With the foregoing and other ends in view the invention includes among its features the provision of means for assuring that the selective elements will be accurately set, of means for rendering a rotary pattern element inoperative at desired periods in the operation of the machine, and for shifting the angular position of a rotary pattern element to bring a given portion of its periphery into play at an earlier or later stage of the operation than would normally be the case.

Another important feature of the invention is the provision of means whereby rotary pattern means may be used to actuate very closely spaced needles. The advantage of this will be appreciated when it is realized that in certain fine-gage machines the needles are spaced as closely as 40 to the inch or more, and that pattern wheels are not ordinarily usable to actuate needles spaced as closely as 20 to the inch. The invention accordingly contemplates the provision of rotary pattern means operating on two or more planes upon alternate or other regularly spaced needles.

The machine exemplified in Figs. 1-26 comprises a needle cylinder 40 formed about its periphery with vertical slots 4| in which there are disposed needles 42, which in the present instance are of the latched type. Beneath each needle is a rocker 43 formed with a central pivoting surface 44 and with a central bend 45 whereby it is frictionally held in a slot. Each rocker is formed near its lower end with upper and lower shoulders 46 and 41. When the rocker is in a fully swung position both shoulders will be within the slot;

when the rocker is in a partially swung or intermediate position only the shoulder 46 will protrude from the slot, so that an advancing cam will engage the upper shoulder and advance the rocker a small distance; and when the rocker is in an unswung position both shoulders will protrude from the slot, so that the advancing cam will engage the lower shoulder and advance the rocker a larger distance.

Supported for revolution about the needle cylinder is an actuating-mechanism support 48 adapted to be driven by gearing 49. Revolving with this support are a plurality of yarn carriers 5|], (six in the present instance) and a corresponding number of pattern wheels 5| as well as aquating cams and various pattern controlling mechanisms. Each pattern wheel in the present instance is rotatably mounted on a shaft 52 and comprises a main frame 53. In order that the pattern wheel may be rotated during its revolution in a manner wholly independent of the rockers and in such a way that its adjustment may be readily effected, the frame 53 is formed with a gear 54 meshing with an annular gear 55 on the needle bed. With a view to insuring against looseness in the gear teeth, the gear 54 is connected to a supplemental gear 56 which also meshes with the gear 55, and the gears 54 and 56 are connected by means of a spring 57, whereby the teeth thereof tend to spread. The pattern wheel, in the present instance, is formed with upper and lower portions 62 and 63, formed with radial slots shown respectively at 60 and 6|. The slots 66 and 6| are staggered (Fig. 14) so as to permit the pattern wheel to be utilized in fine gage machines wherein the rockers are very closely spaced. While the machine, as illustrated, is not drawn exactly to scale, it will be'understood that the spacing of the needles may be about 24 to the inch. In this connection it will be appreciated that a plurality of pattern wheels may be utilized instead of one pattern wheel composed of a plurality of parts; and that pattern drums or other type of rotary pattern mechanism may be employed in place of the pattern wheels. Selectively disposed in the slots 66 are actuator elements 58, and selectively disposed in the slots 6| are actuator elements 59. The outer end of each actuator element is wider than the rocker slots 4|. Each actuator element 58 is formed with a notch 64 fitting over a guiding rib 65 in a normally stationary plate 66, and similarly, the elements 59 are formed with notches 67 each riding on a rib 68 on a normally stationary plate 69 (see Fig. 15). As will be seen from Figs. 3, 12, and 13 each of the ribs 65 and 68 is formed with a cam portion 10 whereby the actuator elements are thrust towards the needle bed. In order that the actuator elements may be pressed against the bed to push the actuated surfaces of the rockers 43 exactly flush with the bed, each actuator element is made wider than the slots 4|, and each portion 10 is pivoted at 'H and thrust outwardly by a spring 12. A forked end 13 on the portion 10 limits the movement thereof by the spring and assures that it will remain in place as a continuation of its rib. By the provision of the spring 12 the actuators will be pressed against the needle bed even tho the distance between the surface of the bed and the axis of the pattern wheel varies slightly. As will be seen from Fig. 2 the actuators 58 bear on the surface 14 of each rocker above the shoulder 46 and the actuators 59 bear against the surface 15 between the shoulders. Thus when an actuator 58 is in a slot 66 the rocker will be moved from an unswung to a fully swung position, whereas when an actuator 59 is in a slot 6| a rocker will be moved from an unswung to an intermediate position. Thus the arrangement shown is admirably adapted for the production of interlock fabric and other fabrics wherein alternate needles are never fully advanced. As exemplified in Fig. 12 the operative actuators are arranged for a setting of the rockers for the reception by the needles of a yarn to be interlocked in the production of an interlock fabric.

An arrangement such as contemplated by the invention is also adapted for the production of fabrics embodying a wide variety of designs. Actuators may be omitted at various positions in the pattern wheel as indicated in Figs. 13 and 16; and actuators may be provided as indicated in Figs. 16, 18, and 19 whereby a plurality of adjacent needles are actuated by a single actuator. In Fig. 16 there are shown actuators 58a and 59a each having a terminal extension 16 whereby two adjacent rockers are actuated. In this manner a rocker which would otherwise be under control of the lower pattern wheel portion will be moved to a fully swung position by an actuator 58a and a rocker which would otherwise be under control of the upper pattern wheel portion will be moved by the actuator 59a.

In instances wherein the use of thinner actuators is desired, these may be set in the pattern wheel on an angle as indicated in Fig. 17, wherein the actuators 58b and 59b are arranged in oblique slots so that they will be sure to contact the rocker and will not enter the rocker slots, even tho they are thinner than the slots. In Fig. 18 there are shown actuators 58c biased in one direction and actuators 59c biased in another direction. In Fig. 19 the operation of the actuators such as 58b and 580 is further illustrated. If desired, obliquely extending actuators may be used instead of the arrangement of Fig. 16 to actuate two rockers at a time, as illustrated in Fig. 20. In this instance the actuators may be thin or thick. If thin actuators are used, the action of either Fig. 19 or 20 may be obtained by a slight angular difierence in the position of the pattern wheel. The actuators 58b, 59b, 58c, and 590 are of full extent at their operative ends. The use of actuators which are of less extent, longitudinally of the needle slots, at their operative ends, such as the actuators 58 and 59, permits the use of selective elements such as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, where there are provided alternately arranged rockers 43a and 43b so designed that all possibility of an actuator 58 disturbing a rocker 43a, and all possibility of an actuator 59 disturbing a rocker 43b is avoided. The rockers 43a are provided with recesses 14a such that actuators 58 can not touch them when the actuators move in to actuate adjacent rockers, and the rockers 43b are provided with recesses 15a such that actuators 59 can not touch them when the actuators move in to actuate adjacent rockers. As will be apparent, selective elements having recessed surfaces may likewise be utilized in connection'with long and short selective elements, and in a machine wherein the number of slots in the bed is an odd number greater or less than the number of slots in the pattern wheel; and in such manners the stitch may be varied. Rockers 43a and 43b may be substituted for the rockers 43 of Fig. 2, etc.

As will be apparent from Fig. 11 those rockers which are in an unswung position, as for instance, rockers which have been juxtaposed with pattern wheel slots in which no actuator was present, will be fully raised to raise their needles as for knitting, by an advancing cam 11-, and rockers which are in an intermediate position will be partially raised to raise their needles to a tucking position by this cam.. Rockers which are in a fully swung position will be passed by the cam 11. It is to be noted that the shoulders slope downwardly and that the cam 11 is similarly sloped, as will be seen from Fig. 2a, so as to effectively prevent lateral movement of the rocker. The advanced needles will receive yarn from one of the yarn carriers 50 and will be retracted by a stitch cam I8, acting on butts I9 on the needles 62. .The unadvanced needles will not receive yarn. In order to assure that the rockers will be lowered even if no needle is present, the rockers are provided with butts 80 projecting beyond the butt I9, and a special retracting cam 8| is provided to retractthese butts. In order to assure proper alignment of the rockers, cams 82 and 83 are provided, which act on a central forked portion 84 of the rockers. A bar 84' which enters between the prongs of the forked portion 84, is provided to guide the rockers during the operation of the patternwheel. A roller, 85 serves to place all rockers in an unswung position prior to the operation of the pattern wheel.

Sinkers 86 of anywell-known and suitable type may be provided between the needles, and in accordance with the invention, a pattern wheel 81, similar to the pattern wheel and rotating on a gear 88 may be provided to operate the sinkers. As will be seen, the pattern wheel 81 .is provided with upper and lower portions so that closely spaced sinkers may be operated alternately by these portions. In instances such as in interlocking operations wherein alternate needles receive the yarn and other needles do not, the actuators in one portion, as indicated at 586, may protrude a greater extent than the actuators in another portion, as indicated at 5912.

In instances where it is desirable to render the pattern wheel inoperative for a period during the operation of the machine, as where the knitting of plain jersey cloth is desired, or where a subsequent setting of the needles different from that which would be imparted by the pattern wheel is desired, or where only the setting of the lower or upper portion of the pattern wheel on the rockers is wanted, there may be employed a mechanism for swinging one or both of the plates 66 and 69, so that one or both of the portions I0 will project the actuators to a point where they are inefiective on the rockers. To this end the plate 66 is carried on arm 89 extending from a bar 90 which is slidably mounted in a support 9|, and the plate 69 is carried on an arm 92 extending from a similar bar 93. Additional bars 94 and 95 are provided in the present instance for the purpose hereinafter indicated. Each of the bars carries a spring 96 which draws it toward the surface of a roller 91. This roller is formed on its periphery with a plurality of rows of holes 98, each row corresponding to one of the bars, and selectively interspersed in the holes of each row are nub portions 99. As will be apparent, when no nub portion is in the hole adjacent to the bar,

I the bar will be in an outward position, but when the nub portion is present, the bar will be in an inward position. By rotating the roller 91, the bars may be variously positioned as desired. The ends of the bars are provided with sloping surfaces I00 which will ride up on the nubs. Thus, if a nub is moved against the bar 90, the upper pattern wheel portion will be swung from the position shown in Fig. 3, to the position shown in Fig. 10, wherein the actuators do not contact with the needles. By similarly moving the bar 92 inwardly, the lower pattern wheel portion may be swung out of eifective position.

In the present instance, there is provided mechanism for automatically adjusting the roller 91 at desired periods in the operation of the machine. This mechanism comprises a ratchet IN, a pawl I02. carried on a trippable member I03, and a plurality of trippers I04, arranged about the machine. Whenever a tripper is in the position shown at A (Fig. 1) the roller will be advanced one notch. Whenever the tripper is in the position shown at B, the roller will not be moved.

The bar carries on its inner end a roller I05,

which is arranged to move all the rockers to a fully swung position regardless of the efiect of the pattern wheel thereon. The bar carries on its inner end a toothed wheel I06 which is arranged to push every other rocker into a partially swung position. Accordingly, all the rockers may be rendered inoperative or alternate rockers may be partially swung, as may be desired; and by rollers of other designs other settings of the rockers may be obtained. The use of such rollers enables'the pattern wheel settings to be wiped out or modified, and permits the rockers to be set when the pattern wheel is out of action.

As will be observed from Fig. 1, the machine comprises a stationary annulus I01 for mounting the trippers, and is provided with a plurality of holes I08 so that the trippers may be set at any desired number of points about the machine. Each tripper is rotatably supported on a post I09, which is adapted to be screwed into any desired one of the holes I08. Fixed to the tripper is a rotatable sleeve I I0. As a continuation of each sleeve there is provided a plurality of removable and interchangeable portions, one of which will be a gear I I I, and the others of which will be filler portions H2 (Fig. 22). s will be apparent, these members can be interchanged so that the gear can be positioned upon a plurality of levels. Each portion is provided with nubs II3 seating in recesses in the portion above it, so as to assure that all these portions will rotate together as a part of the sleeve. The rotation of the gears III and the trippers I04 is eifected by one or another of a plurality of annular gears H4, H5, I I6, and H1, each of which is mounted on ball bearings II8 so as to be rotatable about the center of the machine. The positioning of the gear III, associated with a particular tripper determines which of the gears I I4-I I1 will effect the actuation of that tripper. A post H9 is provided adjacent to each hole I08 to limit the rotative movement of each tripper to a half turn. In order to rotate the gears II4-II1 there is provided mechanism illustrated in Figs. 2 and 23-25. This mechanism includes plungers I20, I2I, I22, and I23, individual to the gears and arranged to be moved individually to positions wherein the movement of the individual gears will be prevented, and of means for moving such gears as do not have a plunger in such position. This means comprises a plurality of arms I24, I25, I26, and I21, each mounted on a lever arm I28 and urged outwardly by one of a plurality of springs I29. Each of the members I24-I21 is formed with a nub I30, adapted to fit into a recess I3I in a gear, unless one of the plungers I20-I23 is in place adjacent to that gear. It will be noted that the nubs are wider than the gears so that when a plunger is slid in above a gear, outward movement of the nub is prevented. When a nub is in a recess I3I, swinging movement of the lever I28 will move the gear associated with the nub, but when a plunger covers the recess, movement of the lever will merely cause the nub to ride along inside the gear. The lever I28 is swung in a counter-clockwise direction by an operating lever. I32, and in the other direction by an operating lever I33. The lever I32 is operated by one or more cams I34 rotating about the machine, and the lever I33 is operated by one or more rotating cams I35. As will be seen, when a cam I34 passes, the operating lever I32 will act to swing the lever I28 on its pivot I36 to move the arms I24-I21 forwardly. Those gears II4-II8 which are engaged by the arms will be moved forwardly to swing the trippers under control thereof from an inactive to an of the shoulders active position. When a cam I35 passes, the operating lever I33 will swing the lever I28 to withdraw the arm and the gears II4-II8 engaged thereby, to return the same trippers to an inactive position. The plungers I20-I23 are operated by means of levers I31, I38, I39, and I40 under control of pattern chains I4I, I42, I43, and I44. Each pattern chain has protuberances I45 selectively disposed along its extent so that where a protuberance is present the lever asso ciated with the chain will be swung and the plunger pushed to prevent the entry of a gearmoving nub into a recess. The levers I31-I40 are held against their respective chains by springs I46. As will be seen, each of the plungers I20-I23 includes a round portion which is slidably mounted in a support I41.

In order to obtain further variations in design, the invention contemplated the provision of means for altering the angularity of the pattern wheel with respect to the bed. In this manner various diagonal striping effects and other design eifects may be secured. Means to this end is exemplified in Figs. 1 and 26. The gear 55 has a portion removed from it at I50 and is provided with guide slots II and I52 at its ends. In the space I50 there is inserted a slidable gear portion I 53 having toothed extensions I54 and I55 inserted in the slots I5I and I52. The gear portion I53 is carried on a post I 56 extending into a diagonal slot I51 on a radially movable bar I58. The bar I58 carries a. rockable selective element I59 having a plurality of cam-engaging shoulders I60 at one end and I8I at the other end. The element I59 is pivoted at I62. Beneath the respective ends of the element I59 there are disposed adjustable arms I63 and I64 carried by levers I65 and I66, having ends I61 and I 68 which are held against the pattern chains I69 and I by springs HI and I12. The pattern chains have selectively disposed thereon protuberances I 13, which as will be noted, are of varying height. The bar I58 is shifted to adjust the gear portion I53 by means of cams I14 and I15. The amount and direction of movement of the bar I58 is determined by which I60 and "SI are engaged by the cams. For instance, when the chain I69 carries a low protuberance against the portion I61 of the lever I65, the cam I14 will engage the uppermost shoulder I60 and will move the bar a small distance outwardly, e. g. enough to move the gear portion I53 one tooth or four needle slots. Similarly, the presence of a medium low, a medium high, and a high protuberance on the chain I69 may cause a movement of two, three or four teeth, respectively in a similar direction; and the presence of a low, medium low, medium high, or high protuberance of the chain I10 may cause a movement of one, two, three, or four teeth, respectively, in the other direction. If the teeth are properly spaced, an angular movement of the pattern wheel equal to any desired number of needle slots, from one up, can be obtained. As will be apparent, the cams I14 and I are arranged to be operated when the pattern wheel 5| is in mesh with the gear portion I53. Such cams may be associated with all of the pattern wheels or with any desired ones thereof. As exemplified, a pair of cams I16 and I11 acting on a post I18 on the bar I 58 are provided to center the bar prior to the action of the cams I14 and I15. As will be seen the cams I16 and I11 carry downwardly extending cam portions I16 and I11 which serve to straighten out the selective element. In Fig. 27 there is shown means whereby the actuator elements may be rendered inoperative upon the selective elements without a rotary movement of the cam track on the pattern wheel. In this construction there is shown a pattern wheel Elf carrying actuators 58f guided by a cam track I80, the cam portion of which is supplied by a shiftable element I8I mounted on a rotary post I82. By turning the post the member IIII may be shifted from active position to the inactive position shown in dotted lines. Shifting of the post may be caused by an arm 89f connected to an arm I83 on the post. The arm 89 is connected with a bar 90 which may be selectively operated by a roller 91) in the same manner that the bar 90 is operated by the roller 91. It is to be noted that in the shifting of the element "II, as in the shifting of the plates 66, 69, etc., the shifting action is in the plane of the rotary pattern member-i. e., in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rotary pattern member-50 that the shifting action can be carried out during the rotation of the rotary pattern member without there being any danger of breakage of the actuators or other parts.

In the constructions heretofore exemplified the selective arrangements of the actuators in the pattern wheel may be changed by removing the pattern wheel or the cover plate thereof and removing or inserting actuators. In Fig. 2 this may be accomplished by partially disassembling the pattern wheel so as to permit the removal of one or both of the plates 66 or 09, since the same is constructed to permit such disassembly; but this is a time consuming procedure. The invention accordingly contemplates the provision of means to permit the selective arrangement of the actuators to be altered without disassembling the pattern wheel. One form of such arrangement is shown in Fig. 29, wherein the pattern wheel 5Ig is formed with guide ribs 959 and g, each having spring pressed cam portions 'IIig. The slots in the pattern wheel are formed with peripheral parts I to receive the forward portion of actuators 58g and 59g when in a peripheral position, and with parts I86 to receive the rear portion of the actuators when in an interior position. Each actuator is formed with a recess I III to receive the rib when the actuator is in a peripheral position and with a butt I88, fitting in an annular recess I89 in its respective cover plate. The recesses I89 are of sufficient extent to permit the movement of the actuators between a peripheral position and an interior position. Normally such movement is prevented by a portion I90 of each guide rib, but this portion is movable out of position, being attached in the present instance, to a removable segment I9I of the respective cover plate, so as to permit movement of the actuators between these positions when desired. Accordingly, upon removal of the segment I9I and, usually, manual rotation of the pattern wheel, the positioning of the actuators may be changed one by one by hand or by means of a suitable instrument such as the pointer I92. If desired the actuators may be aligned prior to positioning, as by a suitable tool I93 which may be inserted after the removal of the cover plate.

As will be apparent, it is not essential that the resilient means which maintains the patternmember configurations against the bed be carried by the pattern member, but in the broader aspects of the invention such means may act the pattern member itself. An arrangement to this end is shown in Fig. 33, wherein a pattern wheel 5Ih is carried on a bracket I95 which is held by a Set screw I96 in spaced relationship to an arm I91. The arm I9'I carries a roller I98 which is urged against the bed 40 by a spring I99. The bracket I95 and the arm I9'I are carried on a post 200, and

the actuators 58h and 5971. on the pattern Wheel are held resiliently against the bed by a spring 20I which acts against the bracket I95 and urges the pattern wheel toward the bed. In this instance, the pattern wheel 5Ih may be moved out of active position by a roller 202, carrying protuberances 203, adapted to -swing an end 204 of the bracket I95. The roller may be operated by pattern mechanism thru the medium of a pawl 205.

Another form of pattern wheel embodying certain features of the invention is exemplified in Fig. 34. In this instance the needle bed 401' is formed with deep slots M7 in which rockers 437' are disposed. Thewheel 5I1 is formed with gearing 206, fitting into the widened outer portions of the slots, and the actuators 201 on the pattern wheel are adapted to enter the slots. The actuators are guided by a cam rib 208. The pattern wheel is mounted on a bracket 209 whereby it may be moved into inoperative position when desired. The bracket 209 may be operated by suitable means such as utilized to operate the bars 90. Actuators of two lengths are provided.

As above indicated, the invention is adapted for the actuation of beard needles, and there is shown in Figs. 35 and 36 an arrangement such as set forth in my co-pending application Serial No. 720,921 above referred to, and Serial No. 758,177, and which embodies one feature of the present invention. In this exemplification there is disclosed a needle bed 00k, having slots 0H0, carrying beard needles 92k, and rockers 93k. An advancing cam 'I'Ik and retracting cams ZItI and M I are provided. The pattern wheel 5I7c is provided with long actuators 2I2 and short actuators 2I3 on an upper level and with long actuators 2 I I and short actuators M5 on another level. The actuators 2 I 2 and 2I9 are selectively arranged and act selectively on nubs tit on the upper portion of alternate rockers, and the actuators 2M and M5 are selectively arranged to act selectively on nubs 2I'I on the upper portion of intermediate rockers. The actuators 2 I2 and 2 It move the rockers to a fully swung position and the actuators M3 and 2 I 5 move the rockers to an intermediate position.

Another form of pattern wheel adapted to actuate in two planes is shown in Fig. 37. Here the pattern wheel 5Im carries actuators are, several of which have upturned ends 2I9 and several of which have downturned ends 220. By reserving the actuators with upturned ends for alternate slots and actuators with downturned ends for intermediate slots the actuators can be arranged to actuate on difierent planes on alternate and intermediate ones of rockers 22L Since the actuators 220 move the rockers to a fully swung position and the actuators 2 I 9 move the rockers to an intermediate position, a tuck stitch can be formed by filling the pattern wheel or a portion of the pattern wheel with actuators so arranged, and an interlock fabric may be obtained by arranging the actuators 2I9 in alternate slots and omitting the actuators 220. In Fig. 37 there is also exemplified an arrangement wherein the rocker is formed with a single shoulder 222 and wherein two advancing cams 223 and 224 of different heights are utilized. As will be apparent such an arrangement may be utilized in connection with other constructions exemplified and with other con structions embodying the invention.

It will accordingly be seen that there may be provided in accordance with the invention a number of constructions having a wide field of utility, and which enable fine g'age machines to be actuated in a variety of manners heretofore impossible. I

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

This application is in part a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 720,921 above referred to.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of slots therein, actuable elements mounted for sliding movement in said slots and each having a portion arranged to extend out of its slot and to be selectively pressed therein, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, rotatable pattern means forming a part of said actuating mechanism and arranged to present to said bed setting means operative in a plurality of planes for selectively pressing said portions within said slots, the setting means operative in one plane being arranged for selective actuation of certain regularly spaced actuable elements and the setting means operative in another plane being arranged for selective actuation of other regularly spaced actuable elements, resilient means to maintain said setting means against said bed in spite of small variations in the contour of said bed, means to change the circumferential position of said pattern means when desired, and means to ,render the setting means operative in at least one of said planes inoperative upon said selective elements when desired.

2. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of slots therein, actuable elements mounted for sliding movement in said slots and each having a portion arranged to extend out of its slot and to be selectively pressed therein, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a rotatable pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism and arranged to present to said bed a selective arrangement of actuator parts for selectively pressing said portions within said slots, and resilient means to maintain said actuator parts against said bed in spiteof small variations in the contour of said bed.

3. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of slots therein, actuable elements mounted for sliding movement in said slots and each having a portion having a cam engaging surface and ared to extend out of its slot and to be selectively pressed therein, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a cam forming a part of said actuating mechanism and adapted to engage said surfaces, a rotatable pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism, actuator elements selectively disposed about said pattern member and arranged to be moved toward the outer edges of the slots during the rotation of the pattern member and to bear against a desired part of said portions of selected actuable elements and to press them within their slots, said actuator elements being wider than said slots so that the actuator elements will not enter the slots when they press the actuable elements within the slots.

4. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of slots therein, actuable elements mounted for sliding movement in said slots and each having a portion arranged to extend out of its slot and to be selectively pressed therein, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a rotatable pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism, actuator elements selectively disposed about said pattern member and arranged to bear against a desired part of said portions of selected actuable elements and to press them within their slots, said actuator elements being Wider than said slots so that the actuator elements will not enter the slots when they press the actuable elements within the slots, means to resiliently press said actuator elements against said bed so that the actuator elements will not project from the slot even though the contour of the bed varies slightly, and means to limit such resilient action.

5. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of slots therein, actuable elements mounted for sliding movement in said slots and each having a portion arranged to extend out of its slot and to be selectively pressed therein, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a rotatable pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism, actuator elements selectively disposed about said pattern member and arranged to bear against a desired part of said portions of selected actuable elements and to press them Within their slots, said actuator elements being wider than said slots, cam means to advance said actuator elements toward said bed as the rotation of the pattern member brings them adjacent of slots therein, actuable elements mounted for sliding movement in said slots and each having a portion having a cam engaging surface and arranged to extend out of its slot and to be selectively pressed therein, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a cam forming a part of said actuating mechanism and adapted to engage said surfaces, a rotatable pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism, actuator elements selectively disposed about said pattern member and arranged to be moved toward the outer edges of the slots during the rotation of the pattern member and to bear against a desired part of said portions of selected actuable elements and to press them within their slots, said actuator elements being wider than said slots so that the actuator elements will not enter the slots when they press the actuable elements Within the slots, and gear means independent of said actuator elements and said actuable elements for driving said rotatable pattern member.

7. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of slots therein, a plurality of selective elements, each of said selective elements being in one of said slots and having a portion movable into and out of said slots and formed with a cam-engaging shoulder, actuating means including a cam adapted to engage said shoulders, said bed and saidactuating means being mounted for relative movement, and means forming a part of said actuating means to selectively engage said portions and press within its slot the part beyond said shoulder on certain selected selective portions and to press within its slot the part carrying said shoulder on other selected selective portions.

8. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of slots therein, a plurality of selective elements, each of said selective elements being in one of said slots and having a portion formed with a plurality of cam-engaging shoulders spaced longitudinally of the slots and selectively movable into and out of the slot, actuating means, said bed and said actuating means being mounted for relative movement, rotary pattern means forming a part of said actuating means, and means on said pattern means for selecting certain of said selective elements for engaging the shouldercarrying portion 'of each selective element and pressing one or more of the shoulders carried thereon into the slot thereof.

9. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of closely spaced actuable elements thereon, said actuable elements having portions adapted to be pressed inwardly to set the same, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, selective actuator means forming a part of said actuating mechanism and arranged to selectively actuate said actuable elements, said actuator means composed of parts operative in a plurality of planes to press said portions of the actuable elements inwardly, an operative part in one plane being arranged for selective actuation of certain regularly spaced actuable elements and an operative part in another plane being arranged for selective actuation of other regularly spaced actuable elements, and said actuator means and said portions being so arranged that the part of the actuator means operative in one plane will press the portions actuated thereby inwardly 'to one extent and that the part of the actuator means operative in another plane will press the portions actuated thereby inwardly-to another extent, and means to selectively operate the actuated ones of said actuable elements in accordance with the setting thereof by said actuator means.

10. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of closely spaced actuable elements thereon, said actuable elements having portions adapted to be pressed inwardly to set the same, actuating mechanisin, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted. for relative movement, selective actuator means forming a part of said actuating mechanism and arranged to selectively actuate said actuable elements, said actmitor means being composed of parts operative in a plurality of planes to press said portions of the actuable elements inwardly, an operative part in one plane being arranged for selective actuation of alternate actuable elements and an operative part in another plane being arranged for the selective actuation of intermediate actuable elements, and said actuator means and said portions being so arranged that the part of the actuator means ope erative in one plane will press the portions actuated thereby inwardly to one extent and thatthe part of the actuator means operative in another plane will press the portions actuated thereby inwardly to another extent, and means to selectively operate the actuated ones of said actuable elements in accordance with" the setting thereof by said actuator means.

11. In a knitting machine, a bed, a series of closely spaced selective elements on said bed, said in another plane to selectively press a part of each one of other regularly spaced ones of said selective elements toward said bed, all the selective elements except the first-mentioned regularly spaced ones being recessed in the first-mentioned plane to assure that they will not be affected by the actuator elements acting in that plane and all the selective elements except said other regularly spaced ones being recessed in said other plane to assure that they will not be affected by the actuator elements acting in that plane.

12. In a knitting machine, a bed, a series of actuable elements mounted thereon, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism and rotatable during said relative movement and carrying a plurality of selectively disposed actuator elements, means to render said actuator elements inoperative upon said selective elements when desired without disturbing the selective arrangement of the actuator elements, a plurality of controlling elements disposed about the machine for controlling the operation of the last mentioned means, and pattern means for selectively rendering said controlling elements operative and inoperative at desired periods in the operation of said machine.

13. In a knitting machine, a bed, a series of actuable elements mounted thereon, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism and rotatable during said relative movement and carrying a plurality of selectively disposed actuator elements normally operative to impart a selective actuation to said actuable elements, cam means to advance said actuator elements toward said bed as the rotation of the pattern member brings them adjacent to said bed, and means to adjust said cam means to render said actuator elements inoperative upon said actuable elements when desired without disturbing the selective arrangement of the actuator elements.

14. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of closely spaced actuable elements thereon, said actuable elements having portions adapted to be pressed inwardly to set the same, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement. selective actuator means forming a part of said actuating mechanism and arranged to selectively actuate said actuable elements, said actuator means being composed of portions operative in a plurality of planes, the operative portion in one plane being arranged for selective actuation of certain regularly spaced actuable portions and an operative portion in another plane being arranged for the selective actuation of other regularly spaced actuable portions and means to render the first mentioned operative portion inoperative upon said actuable portions at given periods in the operation of the machine and means independently to render the second mentioned operative portion inoperative upon said actuable portions at given periods in the operation of the machine.

15. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of slots therein, actuable elements mounted for sliding movement in said slots and each having a portion arranged to extend out of its slot and to be selectively pressed therein, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a rotatable pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism, actuator elements selectively disposed about said pattern member and arranged to bear against a desired part of said portions of selected actuable elements and to press them within their slots, said actuator elements being wider than said slots so that the actuator elements will not enter the slots when they press the actuable elements within the slots, and means to resiliently press said actuator elements against said bed so that the actuator elements will not project from the slot even though the contour of the bed varies slightly.

16. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of closely spaced actuable elements thereon, said actuable elements having portions adapted to be pressed inwardly to set the same, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, and a rotary pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism and comprising actuator means arranged to selectively actuate said actuable elements, said actuator means being composed of portions operative in a plurality of planes, a, portion operative in one plane being arranged to selectively press inwardly to one extent the inwardly movable portions of certain regularly spaced actuable elements and a portion operative in another plane being arranged to selectively press inwardly to another extent the inwardly movable portions of other regularly spaced actuable elements.

17. A rotatable member for use in a knitting machine having actuator elements selectively disposed thereabout and having associated therewith cam means for pressing said actuator elements radially outwardly as the rotation of the rotatable member brings them to one side thereof, and means for resiliently pressing said cam means in the direction of its camming action.

18. A rotatable pattern member for use in a knitting machine and having actuator elements selectively disposed thereabout and having associated therewith non-rotating means adapted to project said actuator elements in a given direction as they reach an actuating position during the rotation of the pattern member, and yieldable means associated with said element-projecting means for pressing the same in the direction of the projecting action thereof.

19. A rotatable pattern member adapted to impart design settings to actuable elements on a bed of a knitting machine and to be rotated on its axis during relative movement of said axis and the bed, said pattern member having actuator elements selectively disposed thereabout and having associated therewith cam means to advance said actuator elements in a given radial direction as they reach an actuating position during the rotation of said pattern member, said cam means being adjustable in the plane of said pattern member to permit the cam means to be rendered inoperative when desired without disturbing the selective arrangement of the actuator elements.

20. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of actuable elements thereon, a pattern member, said bed and pattern member being mounted for relative movement and said pattern member being arranged to be uniformly rotated on its axis in response to said relative movement for actuating said actuable elements, and means to swing said pattern member sharply on its axis from time to time during the operation of said machine whereby a selective operation will be imparted to different groups of actuable elements than would otherwise be the case.

21. In a knitting machine, a bed having a series of actuable elements thereon, a rotary pattern member for actuating said actuable elements, a gear member on said pattern wheel, a cooperating gear member on said bed, a portion of the last mentioned gear member being shiftable, and means to shift said shiftable portion while the first mentioned gear member is in mesh therewith so as to change the relative circumferential position of said pattern member and said bed.

22. In a knitting machine, a bed, a series of actuable elements on said bed, a pattern wheel, said bed and said pattern wheel being mounted for relative movement and said pattern wheel being rotatable in response to said relative movement, a series of actuator-receiving portions on said pattern wheel, each of said receiving portions having a periphera1 part and inner part, actuators in said receiving portions and adapted to be placed in either a peripheral position or an interior position therein, and non-rotating means associated with said rotatable member and having a generally annular portion serving to prevent movement of said actuators between said positions, a portion of said non-rotating means being movable out of position to permit the actuators to be moved between said positions.

23. In a knitting machine, a bed, a series of actuable elements on said bed, a pattern wheel, said bed and said pattern wheel being mounted for relative movement and said pattern wheel being rotatable in response to said relative movement, a series of actuator-receiving portions on said pattern wheel, each of said receiving portions having a peripheral part and inner part, actuators in said receiving portions and adapted to be placed in either a peripheral position or an interior position therein, and non-rotating means associated with said rotatable member and having a generally annular portion serving to prevent movement of said actuators between said positions, said generally annular portion having a cam portion adapted to project during the rotation of the pattern wheel those actuators which are not in a peripheral position, and a portion of said non-rotating means being movable out of position to permit the actuators to be moved between said positions.

24. A rotatable pattern member for use in a knitting machine and having a substantially continuous peripheral surface with actuator portions selectively disposed in a plurality of planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation, said actuator portions having peripheral ends each adapted to bear radially against an outer portion of an actuable element on a bed of a knitting machine and to press it inwardly, the actuator portions in one plane being adapted to bear radially upon selected ones of certain regularly spaced actuable elements in a knitting machine and the actuator portions in another plane being adapted to bear radially upon selected ones of other regularly spaced actuable elements in a knitting machine.

25. A rotary pattern member for use in a knitting machine and comprising a plurality of rows of substantially contiguous slotted portions, actuator elements selectively disposed in each of said rows of slotted portions, and non-rotary members each having a guide portion interfitting with guide portions on the actuators in one of said rows.

26. A rotatable pattern member adapted to impart design settings to actuable elements on a bed of a knitting machine and to be rotated on its axis during relative movement of said. axis and the bed, said pattern member having actuator elements selectively disposed thereabout and having associated therewith cam means to advance said actuator elements in a given radial direction as theyreach an actuating position during the rotation of said pattern member, said cam means being adjustable in an arcuate direction in the plane of the pattern member to permit the cam means to be rendered inoperative when desired without disturbing the selective arrangement of the actuator elements.

2'7. A rotatable pattern member adapted to impart design settings to actuable elements on a bed of a knitting machine and to be rotated on its axis during relative movement of said axis and the bed, said pattern member having actuator elements selectively disposed thereabout and having associated therewith cam means to advance said actuator elements in a given radial direction as they reach an actuating position during the rotation of said pattern member, said cam means comprising an element which is adjustable in a generally radial direction to permit the same to be rendered inoperative when desired without disturbing the selective arrangement of the actuator elements.

sec

28. A rotatable pattern member adapted to impart design settings to actuable elements on a bed of a knitting machine and to be rotated on its axis during relative movement of said axis and said bed, said pattern member having actuator elements selectively disposed thereabout and having associated therewith cam means to advance said actuator elements in a given radial direction at a given point in the rotation of said pattern member, said cam means being adjustable in a direction which cuts across successive radii of the pattern member to alter the point at which the cam means advances the actuator elements.

29. In a'knitting machine, a bed, a series of actuable elements mounted thereon, actuating mechanism, said bed and said actuating mechanism being mounted for relative movement, a pattern member forming a part of said actuating mechanism and rotatable during said relative movement and having radially movable actuator elements selectively disposed thereabout, cam means normally adapted to act upon said actuator elements at a given point in the rotation of said pattern member so that said actuator elements will be in position to actuate said actuable elements in a given manner when the actuator elements are in proximity to said bed, said cam means being adjustable in a direction which cuts across successive radii of the pattern member to alter the point at which the cam means is effective so as to cause the actuator elements to be inoperative at a point in proximity to said bed whereat they would otherwise be operative, and pattern means for suitably adjusting said cam means in said direction at desired periods in the operation of said machine.

V NCENT IDMBARDI. 

